When you’re planning a building project, choosing the right building material is crucial. A ready-mix concrete service delivers high-quality concrete straight to construction sites, saving you time and hassle. This guide explains what is ready mix concrete and why it’s the smart choice for your construction projects.
What Is Ready Mix Concrete?
Ready-mixed concrete is mixed at a specialised plant before delivery to your site. Instead of mixing the ingredients of concrete yourself, everything arrives ready to pour. The basic ingredients include cement, water, sand, and gravel or crushed stone, all measured precisely to create concrete solutions tailored to your needs.
According to the British Standards Institution, ready-mix concrete accounts for the majority of concrete used in UK construction today. This building material has become the standard for projects requiring reliable, consistent results.
The Advantages of Ready Mix Concrete
Using a ready mix concrete supplier offers clear benefits for all types of construction sites:
Consistent Quality: Every batch is mixed under controlled conditions, giving you high-quality concrete every time. This matters especially for projects requiring high-strength specifications.
Time Savings: Mixed concrete arrives ready to use. Your team can focus on pouring rather than mixing, which speeds up your timeline significantly.
Less Waste: Many suppliers offer volumetric concrete mixers or metered services, meaning you only pay for the concrete you actually use. This makes handling small loads much more economical.
Better for Your Budget: When you factor in labour, equipment rental, and wasted materials, ready-mixed concrete often costs less than on-site mixing.
Professional Expertise: A good ready mix concrete supplier helps you choose the right concrete mixes for your specific project needs.
Understanding Different Concrete Mixes
Different construction projects need different concrete solutions. Here’s a quick guide:
| Mix Type | Best For | Strength Level |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Mix | Foundations, general use | Medium strength |
| High Strength Mix | Commercial buildings, heavy loads | Very high strength |
| Fast-Setting Mix | Repairs, quick projects | Medium to high strength |
| Fibre-Reinforced | Industrial floors | High strength with crack resistance |
Your ready mix concrete service provider can recommend which concrete mixes suit your project best.
How Ready Mix Concrete Delivery Works
The process is straightforward. At the batching plant, computers measure the ingredients of concrete precisely. The cement, water, aggregates, and any additives are combined in large mixers. Once mixed, the concrete is loaded into delivery trucks with revolving drums that keep it workable during transport.
Some suppliers use volumetric concrete mixers, which mix the concrete on-site using a volumetric truck. This is particularly useful for small loads or projects where timing is critical. You only pay for the concrete actually mixed, reducing waste.
What to Look for in a Ready Mix Concrete Supplier
Choosing the right supplier matters. Look for these qualities:
Experience: Established suppliers understand local construction sites and building requirements. They know how to handle projects requiring special mixes or tight deadlines.
Quality Standards: Good suppliers follow industry standards and provide high-quality concrete consistently. Check that they hold relevant certifications.
Flexible Service: Whether you need large volumes or small loads, your supplier should accommodate your needs. Volumetric concrete mixers are ideal for smaller or variable quantities.
Clear Pricing: You should know exactly what you’re paying. Look for suppliers who offer transparent quotes with no hidden fees.
Reliable Delivery: Late mix concrete delivery can delay your entire project. Choose a supplier known for punctuality.
Common Uses for Ready-Mixed Concrete
Ready mix concrete suits virtually all construction projects:
- Foundations: Provides strong, stable bases for buildings
- Floors and Slabs: Creates durable surfaces for homes and commercial spaces
- Driveways: Offers a hard-wearing surface for vehicles
- Patios: Perfect for outdoor living areas
- Commercial Work: Ideal for offices, warehouses, and shops
- Infrastructure: Used for roads, bridges, and public works
The versatility of mixed concrete makes it suitable for projects requiring anything from basic strength to specialised high-strength applications.
Tips for Ordering Ready Mix Concrete
To get the best results:
- Measure Accurately: Calculate your required volume carefully. Your supplier can help with this.
- Plan Timing: Book a mix of concrete deliveries well in advance, especially during busy periods.
- Prepare Your Site: Have formwork ready and access cleared before the truck arrives.
- Consider a Volumetric Truck: For projects with uncertain quantities or small loads, volumetric concrete mixers let you only pay for the concrete you use.
- Communicate Clearly: Tell your ready mix concrete supplier exactly what you need, including any special requirements.
Why Choose Express Concrete
At Express Concrete, we’ve supplied concrete solutions across London since 1991. As a family-owned ready mix concrete supplier, we understand that every project matters.
We offer:
- Wide range of concrete mixes for all applications
- Competitive pricing with no hidden costs
- Reliable mix concrete delivery
- Expert advice on choosing the right building material
- Metered service, so you only pay for the concrete you use
Our experienced team ensures your high-quality concrete arrives on time, ready for your construction sites. Whether you need small loads for domestic work or large volumes for commercial projects requiring high-strength concrete, we deliver concrete solutions that work.
Making the Right Choice
Understanding what ready-mix concrete is helps you make better decisions for your building projects. This building material offers consistency, quality, and convenience that on-site mixing simply can’t match.
The advantages of ready mix concrete are clear: better quality control, time savings, less waste, and professional support. Whether you’re working on small residential jobs or large commercial projects requiring specialised concrete mixes, choosing the right ready mix concrete service makes all the difference.
Contact a trusted ready-mix concrete supplier today to discuss your project needs and discover how ready-mixed concrete can help you build with confidence.